New Power Head Wave Maker Options

[rube_]

Knowing the wealth of knowledge from users on R2R, I feel confident you guys will be able to help me buy a new Wave-Maker after mine just bit the dust.

I have exhausted every thing I found googling, talking to people and even a post on R2R to try to fix my Jebao RW 15 Wave-maker to end in failure. I need to figure out a new solution for my 100 gallon tank.

A few things that I am looking for_
1. As i have to replace items for the tank I want to get gear that allows for wireless connection with control from a computer or app.
2. Do the features warrant the extra cost. Or is it just more expensive but similar to other cheaper products.

Options_
1. Eco-tech MP-40. Read a lot about it, good customer support, great mode options and enough power. A bit more then I was hoping to spend on something I had no reason to buy until yesterday. Excited about being able to control it remotely, it says wireless, that means you could control from an app or something correct?

2. Buy another Jebao RW 15, which worked well for my tank but could end in the same way in 8mo-1yr. Seems like most people who buy this know that is the deal and just expect to buy them more often. I could buy 2-3 for the price of ecotech, which I might get two if I went with that option. Maybe buy it on amazon w 3 yr return plan..ha:)

3. Gyre XF150. Seems great, don't know to much about it though. Not sure how I feel about how it would look in tank. Seems like it would do the job of multiple pumps.

4. Apex Wave Pump. Like the idea of controlling it remotely. I don't have an Apex controller, it would be very expensive to go with this option. Comes with two pumps.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

Jon

 

[mcarroll]

What size/shape of tank? Can you post a pic?

Tunze pumps work well in a lot of situations and tend to be more adjustable and flexible in their placement options. They are my preference. :)

 

[rube_]

Sorry forgot to mention it's 100 gallon, see attached photo, u can see my now defunct Jebao Powerhead in this photo. Any advice is appreciated, I have the return flow creating flow but it's been two days now and want to get a new one in there maybe today.

 

[Rickyb1982]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2552560 go check this out !! He shows you how to fix your jebao powerheads

 

[rube_]

Hey Rickyb1982, thanks. I saw that the other day and tried this and had no success. I also took it apart and soaked it in vinegar/water for 15 hrs, it was like new. It wouldn't start after plug in, I nudged the propeller and it would start briefly and then stop.

 

[Rickyb1982]

That sucks

 

[AdamNC]

I'd go with 2 MP40 pumps, even used if you can afford them. Spare parts are available whereas they are not for other pumps. The wireless feature is available to sync 2+ and/or if you have a Reeflink or an Apex plus the wxm module you can custom program them. i.e.: lagoon in the morning, reefcrest in the afternoon, back to lagoon mode in the evening and then 50% power at night. If you have only 2 pumps but no Reeflink or Apex they can still link up to run the preprogrammed modes in sync. If you only want one pump it can still link to a Reeflink or an Apex.

 

[Rickyb1982]

I'd go with 2 MP40 pumps, even used if you can afford them. Spare parts are available whereas they are not for other pumps. The wireless feature is available to sync 2+ and/or if you have a Reeflink or an Apex plus the wxm module you can custom program them. i.e.: lagoon in the morning, reefcrest in the afternoon, back to lagoon mode in the evening and then 50% power at night. If you have only 2 pumps but no Reeflink or Apex they can still link up to run the preprogrammed modes in sync. If you only want one pump it can still link to a Reeflink or an Apex.

I agree !! I have two mp60s on my 300 gallon and they are monsters lol !!

 

[AdamNC]

I agree !! I have two mp60s on my 300 gallon and they are monsters lol !!

Heh. I'm running 2 MP40s on a 29 gallon standard cranked down to about 35-40%.

 

[Rickyb1982]

Heh. I'm running 2 MP40s on a 29 gallon standard cranked down to about 35-40%.

Sweet

 

[Scurvy]

If you're looking for wireless functionality I'd go the Ecotech route. You can start with 1 and add another later if need be. I have an MP10 and Gyre on opposite sides of my tank. The Gyre runs a constant intermittent wave and the MP10 changes modes/intensity throughout the day controlled via the ReefLink.

You can do this with the Gyre as well but I believe you'd need an Apex and the add on module though I haven't looked at the newer Gyre. Mines the older xf-150. They do move a lot of water though.

 

[roberthu526]

I would wait on the Gyres. I bought a pair of XF230 and a pair of XF250, both with the new controllers. It turned out that the controllers were not very well thought out and there are quite some bugs in the firmware. I have had the pumps and controllers for less than two months and already had to do two firmware updates. What's worse is Coralvue wouldn't acknowledge the issue until I posted a youtube video. The latest update they sent me actually turns off the display of the controller 30 seconds after no button is pressed. This way even if there is something wrong the user will less likely to find out...
Overall I am not very happy about these purchases. I like the pump and the idea behind it. It's a shame that the controller wasn't fully tested before Coralvue launched the product. I just hope they can provide an official update on their website and it fixes all the obvious glitches so we can use the products worry free...